Not much luck on removing those--though we're tempted to get a blowtorch thing
Floor has been de-rusted and treated, minus the annoying whchr blocks. Had to lay down a few sheets of metal after removing rusted out sections. Riveted those in. Put new seals around back and lift door, though need to put on a new corner piece for the back door that has one corner rusted out.

Painting is all done for now, no yellow showing anywhere. With warmer temps I will be retapig her up and wetsanding and putting on a new coat of paint. Paint job looks a bit rough in my opinion. Almost hammered look in most places. If I could afford to spray her I would, 'cause brushes and a variety of rollers doesn't cut it for a pro looking job.

State patrol officer arrives in an hour to do the forms for retitle, then it is off to the DMV for plates and new title.

Oh, this is a shot of the underside. I'm trying to figure out where I can do SOMETHING so I can strap on the water barrels. Using heavy duty wheel chair strapping (high rated, expensive but came with bus). Might reinforce with those tornado metal straps. Thing is I don't have access to a welder nor a drill that can get through that thick of metal. Any suggestions?

... Thing is I don't have access to a welder nor a drill that can get through that thick of metal. Any suggestions?...

I suggest you buy a corded drill with the largest chuck size you can afford. 1/2" would be ideal, but if not affordable, then 3/8" would have to do. I have one corded drill and one cordless drill and find that I use them both all the time (not to mention my drill press), but of all those the corded drill is the most indespensible. So long as you aren't worried about batteries you'll get through that metal eventually. Start with a smaller drill bit, like 1/8", then medium, then final hole size. Brush motor oil onto the drilling area periodically as a lubricant. You'll get through eventually, but it won't be fun working upside down. I'm getting ready to start hanging tanks myself, but am not looking forward to it.

Oh, and I'd try to do something about that rust on the frame of the bus before hiding it behind your tanks. Even if you just give it a quick wirebrushing and then POR15, that would be better than nothing. Once I do that initial treatment to the rusty areas of my bus' underside, I plan to use a sprayer of some sort or even just a paint brush to apply used motor oil to the whole underside frame and chassis, and then repeat periodically to keep the rust at bay.

Thanks all I plan on removing and treating the underside eventually, but will have to spot treat for now since time is short. And funds are getting shorter. Working out plumbling plan still so might go with a frame like Vonslatt's or may stick with the heavy duty straps and a couple braces. Really need to be able to remove the tanks without too much trouble, so straps might win out.
I do have a 3/8 chuck corded drill, though I'm finding the bits I have are less than able -- will have to buy more, again!

Didn't get plate or new title yet, turned out to be more money than I had on me so heading back Friday. Will also pick up the flooring and wall materials at that time. Will be a BUSY weekend

Found the problem... bad alternator and one dead (bad cells) battery. Don't have funds to put her into the shop at moment so waiting a week or so before calling the local heavy duty shops. There is a one near here that specializes in International and Allison, though I'm afraid that might be the most expensive one. Will have the heat gage checked then, too.

We've changed out an alternator before but never in something this big. How hard is it? Any special tools? What about the heat gage? Can we do that ourselves? We do have the ISIS dvd now, btw.

We had to buy a marine battery to get the bugger running long enough to get her home today. Purred to life easy with the new battery, but guy at auto shop with his tester thingymajig says the alternator is bad and will eventually suck the new battery to bad shape. Figure leave her here for a week and get the floors built on her while waiting for funds to either fix her ourselves or drag her 10 miles to the shop.

OH and did get it licensed and retitled as a motorhome today after a very long wait in the DMV. YAY ouch that was expensive.

ugh what a day Funny thing is... we have been here before with a bad alternator, sitting in a parking lot while on the road full time, wondering what the heck now. Ah, good times.

I changed my alternator recently and it was no different than a car. Mine had a couple stubborn bolts that didn't want to come out, but other than that, no problem. Nice thing about a bus engine is you've got plenty of room to work in, if you've got a dognose style anyway.

On the radiator, I can't find a "don't fill beyond thi sline" thing. I did find this green bubble thing. Is this where the water level is supposed to be?
And... isn't it supposed to be orange not green?